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Good Movies/Documentaries?

I am presently stuck in bed after a hospital trip (hate those things!) and was wondering if anybody could recommend some good Zen/Buddhist movies or documentaries? I could get Netflix easily, but I'm not sure if it would have the kind of stuff I like. (Not a mainstream tv watcher, here.)

I hope your recovery is swift (and you are at ease in your ills in the meantime)!

Here are a few notes to maybe start off a list.

Gassho,
Sekishi / Eric

Zen: An enjoyable (although somewhat fanciful) film about our very own Dogen. It is quite beautiful, but takes some liberties with the historical Dogen (at least compared with what I've read elsewhere). There is a Kensho scene which may induce giggles. I do not believe it is available on Netflix, but is on Amazon streaming. Someone posted on the forum a while back that it was on Youtube. I don't know if that is still the case. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1156470

Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?: A beautiful Korean film about three people living in a mountain hermitage: the old Zen master, his sometimes disciple, and an orphan boy. I've not seen it in years, but I think it is a beautiful and difficult film that hit me pretty hard when I watched it on DVD. I do not know of anyplace it can be watched via streaming. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097195/

Souls of Zen: A recently released documentary about responses to the 03/11 tsunami. It is not on Netflix, but is on Amazon streaming. I've not watched it yet, but will in the next day or two as it is also currently the "Film Club" selection on Tricycle.org (if you are a member or get the magazine). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294819http://www.tricycle.com/filmclub

Amongst White Clouds: Part travelogue, part documentary about hermit monks and nuns living in the mountains in China. I assume it was inspired at some level by Red Pine's book "Road to Heaven". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270080

The Buddha: An introductory "life of the Buddha" film with some nice animation, but not a lot of depth (as I recall anyway). Used to be on Netflix, but I don't think it is anymore. It is on Amazon (free with Prime I think).http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478841

In the realm of "films with Buddhist themes", but are not overly Buddhist, here are a few recommendations.

Groundhog Day: The deepest "romantic comedy" EVAR. What happens if you relive the same day for 10,000 years, and nothing you do has any consequence? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048

The Fountain: An odd, sometimes dark Darren Aronofsky film the explores the nature of letting go (taking one character across multiple lifetimes), rebirth, and (possibly) cyclical time. Epic in scope (hundreds of years pass during the film), but very focused on a few characters. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414993

Cloud Atlas: I've not seen the film, but the book definitely covered some Buddhist themes, and was a delightful read (also spanning hundreds of years).http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1371111

Samsara: A visual journey / punch to the eyeballs by "Godfrey Reggio" (who created Koyaanisqatsi long ago). It is a similar film to Koyaanisqatsi in many ways (a musical and visual journey without narrative). Mostly an exploration of this realm of Samsara as an unfixable realm of birth and death. NOT a happy or "feel good" film. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770802/

I know you asked about films, but if you are stuck at home, there are some amazing podcasts out there that you might enjoy listening to. Podcasts can be subscribed to (for free) in itunes or other "podcatcher" software and you will get new episodes automagically when they are released. However, most also provide some kind of web interface for just streaming from a laptop, tablet, or phone.

Upaya Zen Center Podcasts and Dharma Talks: Dharma talks by various folks at the Upaya Zen center - Roshi Joan Halifax, as well as guest teachers, and talks by folks both within Buddhism and outside of it (they recently did a 10 part series of interdisciplinary presentations about complex systems, philosophy of mind, and emergence for example). A great podcast.http://www.upaya.org/dharmatalks/

Zencast: Talks mostly by folks associated with the Insight Meditation Center / IMC. Fairly far afield from our practice at times, but Gil Fronsdal was one of my first introductions to the Dharma, so I still listen from time to time.http://www.zencast.org/

Rochester Zen Center Dharma Talks: Dharma talks by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede and others. RZC is a different lineage than ours here at Treeleaf (there is definitely more talk of Kensho, sitting with Koans, etc.), so keep that in mind I guess. I still enjoy listening from time to time. http://rzcpodcasts.blogspot.com/

sekishi
石志

As a novice priest-in-training, this is simply an expression of my opinion. Please take it with a grain of salt.

Sorry you have been in hospital again. As well as watching Buddhist related material (and I thorougly second all the great podcasts from Sekishi), I would recommend anything that keeps your spirits up and body relaxed and happy. I am with you on the majority of mainstream viewing though.

I will second zen, groundhog day, and red beard. All good movies with neat themes. For netflix streaming I would also recommend the movie Ip Man (2008) It has nothing to do with zen (it isn't not zen either), but it is one of the best kung fu movies I've seen in a while.

Originally Posted by Jundo

One of my favorite life affirming Zen movies seems available on this list: Enlightenment Guaranteed. Recommended for everyone!

This movie is impossible to find on dvd for purchase in the US. They must have produced only ten copies and sent eight to netflix. One is selling for $200 on amazon! I guess I'll have to do a trial of netflix dvd to see it.

Thank you everybody for such a variety of info! I'm working my way thru the list......ordered a couple of DVDs from Amazon. I need to replace the favorite of all time movie in my life which heretofore has been 'The Birdcage'.

I would also recommend Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring, which is a lovely film. If you are looking for something a bit different, not necessarily 'Buddhist' but interesting and certainly not mainstream, I can recommend Werner Herzog's Encounters at the End of the World, about Antarctica and the people who live and work there.